'Hurts the city and its people': Ohio gov rips Trump and Vance’s lies about Haitian migrants

20 September 2024

Ever since Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) began spreading a debunked conspiracy theory about Haitian refugees in Springfield, Ohio, Republican Governor Mike DeWine has remained relatively quiet. Now, he's speaking out in defense of migrants — and condemning his fellow Republicans' rhetoric.

In a New York Times op-ed, DeWine heaped praise on both Springfield, Ohio and on its Haitian immigrant population, directly refuting Vance's debunked claims that Haitians are making the community less safe. He specifically singled out former President Donald Trump and his running mate — whom he admitted to still supporting in the November election — saying their rumor-mongering was both harmful and untrue.

"I am saddened by how they and others continue to repeat claims that lack evidence and disparage the legal migrants living in Springfield," DeWine wrote. "This rhetoric hurts the city and its people, and it hurts those who have spent their lives there."

DeWine reminded the Times' readers that since Vance began propagating the baseless rumor that Haitian migrants were eating pets, the community has been inundated by a wave of bomb threats called into both municipal buildings and even schools. The two-term Ohio governor lamented that the small Ohio town has "become the epicenter of vitriol over America’s immigration policy" largely due to its racial diversity, requiring additional resources to ensure residents' safety.

"Bomb threats — all hoaxes — continue and temporarily closed at least two schools, put the hospital on lockdown and shuttered City Hall," he wrote. "The two local colleges have gone remote. I have posted Ohio Highway Patrol troopers in each school building in Springfield so the schools can remain open, teachers and children can feel safe and students can continue to learn."

In the op-ed, DeWine also defended Haitians in Springfield, asserting that they are both legal immigrants and lawful members of the community. In one paragraph, he recalled a conversation with one local business owner who was able to stay open in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic largely because Haitian migrants were able and willing to fill open positions.

"We know that the Haitian people want the same things we all want — a good job, the chance to get a quality education and the ability to raise a family in a safe and secure environment. Haitian migrants have gone to Springfield because of the jobs and chance for a better life there," he wrote. "There have been language barriers and cultural differences, but these Haitians come to work every day, are fitting in with co-workers and have become valuable employees."

DeWine's praise of the Haitian community comes on the heels of both local and national blowback against the GOP ticket for their anti-migrant rhetoric. Earlier this week, one local pastor in Springfield revealed that Vance began spreading the lie about immigrants eating pets after he asked the senator for additional federal resources to accommodate the migrant population.

The wave of xenophobic furor that escalated in response to Trump and Vance's claims about Haitian migrants has caused panic among members of that community. One anonymous Haitian migrant speaking anonymously to the Haitian Times told the publication that they're considering moving in order to keep their family safe.

We're all victims this morning. They're attacking us in every way," they said. "I'm going to have to move because this area is no longer good for me. I can't even leave my house to go to Walmart. I'm anxious and scared."

Click here to read DeWine's op-ed in full (gift link).

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